Lecture 4: Female reproductive tract 2 Flashcards
What phase of the mensuration cycle is more stable?
- Luteal phase more stable, follicular phase can change quite a lot
- note luteal phase about 13 days long
Parts of fallopian tube?
- Fimbriae, Infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus
Features of the fallopian tubes?
- Epithelial lining - responsive to steroids
- ciliated
- Secretory
- Muscular coat
- inner circular
- outer longitudinal
- Serosal coat
Effect of E2 on fallopian tubes?
- Increase in cillia
- Increase in secretory activity
- nourishment and lubrication allowing motility
- Increased muscular activity
Effect of P4 on the fallopian tubes?
- Decrease in muscular activity
- Decrease in cilia but increase in their beat frequency
- decrease in secretions
Features of the utrerus?
- 7.5cm long, pear shaped
- luminal volume about 10ml
- normally anteverted, 1/4 retroverted
- 3 main layers:
- serosa
- muscular myometrium -90% of mass
- endometrium
Describe the 2 layers of the endometrium?/
- Basal layer
- Functional layer
How the stratum functionalis changes in reference to the menstrual cycle
- ____ (__-__ days) the stratum is falling. __ is rising, oestrogen not rising much.
- Proliferative phase. (days _-_) ____are high, eventually causes LH surge. Oestrogen causes proliferation. Glands are ____.
- ____: Day 14 on. rogesterone and___ high (secreted by _____ ___). Lining maintained. Glands ____
- Menses (5-7 days) the stratum is falling. FSH is rising, oestrogen not rising much.
- Proliferative phase. (days 7-14) Oestrogens are high, eventually causes LH surge. Oestrogen causes proliferation. Glands are circular.
- Secretory: Day 14 on. Progesterone and inhibin high (secreted by corpus luteum). Lining maintained. Gland torturous
What is the ‘Decidual Reaction’?
Human embryos implant entirely inside the uterine wall (not the case in many other animals), so in preperation for this the functional layer of the Endometrium undergo changes called the decidual Reaction.
- Endometrial Stroma becomes odematous
- Stomal fibroblasts expand and fill with glycogen (providing an energy source for the embryo when it first implants)
This only occurs in a few species, but occurs spontaneously each menstrual cycle in women, therefore relatively uncommon (**only post implantation in many species, “pseudodecidual reaction’)
Blood supply of the uterus
- Uterine Artery → arcuate arteries (circular & run around uterus) → Radial Arteries (project in towards endometrium) → spiral arteries (at myometrial/endometrial boundaries)
** off the raidal arteries, there are also “Basal arteries” which supply the basal layer and are unaffected by menstruation
The key vessels that supply the endometrium + pregnancy + the placenta are ________.
Describe these vessels
Spiral Arteries
- Tonically active like other vessels
- Terminal Spiral art. segments are lost along with the rest of the Functional layer. (not 100% confirmed)
- Spasm (to prevent exsanguination → necrosis of func. layer which is then sloughed off “menstruation”(draining of a person))
- These grow rapidly (as well as endo. glands) in the proliferative phase of the cycle.
Dating of the endometrium.
Review and memorise pg 198 of the module
Allows us to date relatively accurately the day of the cycle the uterus is in
What’s the role of Estrogen in the uterus
- Epithelial and stromal cell proliferation
- Stromal Oedma: vascular permeability agent
- Glandular Secretions (serous)
- Synthesis of intracellular progesterone receptors (‘estrogen priming’)
- Myometrial activity
What’s the role of Progesterone in the uterus
- Promotes thick(er) glandular secretions in the luteal phase (this requires a previous estrogen stimulation)
- Stromal Cell Proliferation
- “Decidual Reaction”
**Inhibits Myometrial activity as oocyte should be now in the uterus and you want implantation to be able to occur
The Cervix is divided into 2 compartments; what are the tissue types of these?
- Endocervix
- Columnar epithelium
- Glands, crypts (sperm can move)
- Fibrous stroma, few SM cels
- Ectocervix
- Stratified Squamous Epithelium
What part of the cervix is targeted by HPV?
The Squamocoloumnar junction. Closer to the endocervix.
**transformation zone between ecto/endo is squamous only!
- Cervical cancer is caused by HPV here
- Regular smears required every 3 years in sexually active women, from 20-70yrs
- Smears can reduc a women risk by 90%
- Vaccine exists for sterotypes of 16 and 18, but other stereotypes also cause it!
